Introduction

This 4ft 8.5in line connected Stirling Hill Quarry to Peterhead Prison and the Peterhead Southern Breakwater. It was used in the construction of the breakwater for the Admiralty using prison labour. The work created the Peterhead Harbour of Refuge, the enclosed Peterhead Bay south of Peterhead Harbour. The system had a number of locomotives, stations at the principal locations and a viaduct (5 arch?) over the River Ugie. The Act for the work was passed in 1886 with prisoners arriving in 1888. The locomotive 'Victoria' was delivered in 1889. Construction was completed with the laying of the final block in 1956. The line closed and track was lifted around 1957-1958. A prison carriage is preserved at the former Maud station. Amongst prisoners who worked here was James Tinsley, the signalman at Quintinshill Loops on the occasion of the Quintinshill Railway Disaster.